The word “mantra” means “the mind” (mana) and “tool” (tra). Therefore, the word mantra literally translates to “A tool for the mind”.
Mantra is a combination of divine syllables and sounds, which when chanted lifts oneself to higher states of perception, awareness and realization. In this way, layers of illusion and confusion are peeled away giving one clarity and focus.
Their use varies according to the school and philosophy associated with the mantra. They are primarily used as spiritual conduits, words or vibrations that instill one-pointed concentration in the devotee. Other purposes have included religious ceremonies to accumulate wealth, avoid danger, or eliminate enemies. Mantras originated in IndiaHinduism and were later adopted by Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains, now popular in various modern forms of spiritual practice which are loosely based on practices of these Eastern religions. with Vedic
This is one question which almost all vegetarians have faced sometime or the other. But, the answer to this is very simple and logical. When we eat animals we kill them, but on the other hand when we eat vegetables, fruits, grains or other vegetarian products, we don’t have to kill plants. On the contrary, we help them to reproduce by way of spreading their seeds, intentionally or un-intentionally. The seeds/product of the plant bearing seeds, are biologically designed to fall off, or, spread by other means and germinate under favourable conditions. So, humans, by eating vegetable products are doing just the same thing i.e. spreading their seeds as far as possible.
On the spiritual path, there are several reasons why a person is recommended to be vegetarian. One primary reason is that we need to see the spiritual nature within all living beings and that includes the animals and other creatures as well. Universal brotherhood means nonviolence to both humans and animals. It consists of understanding that animals also have souls. They are alive, conscious and feel pain. These are the indications of the presence of consciousness, which is the symptom of the soul.Boiled peanuts were the ceremonious gift
Many portions of the Vedic literature describe how the Supreme Being is the maintainer of innumerable living entities, humans as well as the animals and is alive in the heart of every living being. Only those with spiritual consciousness can see the same Supreme Being in His expansion as Supersoul within every creature. To be kind and spiritual toward humans and be a killer or enemy toward animals is not a balanced philosophy and exhibits one’s spiritual ignorance.
The ancient Vedic text of the Manu-Samhita (5.45-8) says, “He who injures innoxious beings from a wish to give himself pleasure never finds happiness, neither living nor dead. He who does not seek to cause the suffering of bonds and death to living creatures, but desires the good of all beings, obtains endless bliss. Meat can never be obtained without injury to living creatures and injury to sentient beings is detrimental to the attainment of heavenly bliss; let him therefore shun the use of meat.”
The Buddhist scripture (Sutta-Nipata 393) also advises: “Let him not destroy or cause to be destroyed any life at all, or sanction the acts of those who do so. Let him refrain from even hurting any creature, both those that are strong and those that tremble in the world.” It is also said in the Buddhist scripture, the Mahaparinirvana Sutra, “The eating of meat extinguishes the seed of great compassion.”
The Bible (Romans 14.21) also says, “It is neither good to eat flesh, nor to drink wine.” Another biblical commandment (Exodus 23.5) instructs us to help animals in pain, even if they belong to an enemy.For Jews, the Talmud (Avodah Zorah 18B) forbids the association with hunters, not to mention engaging in hunting.
In the New Testament Jesus preferred mercy over sacrifice (Matthew 9.13; 12.7) and was opposed to the buying and selling of animals for sacrifice (Matthew 21.12-14; Mark 11.15; John 2.14-15). One of the missions of Jesus was to do away with animal sacrifice and cruelty to animals (Hebrews 10.5-10).
A physiological reason for being vegetarian is to consider the amount of fear and suffering that animals experience in the slaughter industry. There are countless stories of how in fear cows cry, scream, and sometimes fall down dead while inside or even before they are taken into the slaughter house. Or how the veins of dead pigs are so big that it shows they have practically exploded from the fear the pig felt and the adrenalin that was produced while it was being led to slaughter. This certainly causes an immense amount of violence to permeate the atmosphere, which goes out and falls back on us in some form. Furthermore, the adrenalin and fear in the animal also produces toxins which then permeate the body of these animals, which meat-eaters ingest. People who consume such things cannot help but be effected by it. It causes tensions within them individually, which then spreads in their relations with others.
Another factor for being a vegetarian is karma. As the second law of thermodynamics states, for every action there must be an equal and opposite reaction. On the universal scale this is called the law of karma, meaning what goes around comes around. This affects every individual, as well as communities and countries. As the nation sows, so shall it reap. This is something we should take very seriously, especially in our attempt to bring peace, harmony and unity into the world. If so much violence is produced by the killing of animals, where do you think the reactions to this violence goes? It comes back to us in so many ways, such as the form of neighborhood and community crime and on up to world wars. Violence breeds violence. Therefore, this will continue unless we know how to change.
Thus, we should find alternatives to killing animals to satisfy our appetites, especially when there are plenty of other healthy foods available. Otherwise, there must be reactions to such violence. We cannot expect peace in the world if we go on unnecessarily killing so many millions of animals for meat consumption or through abuse.
Ekadasi is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Vishnu on the eleventh day of every lunar fortnight in traditional Hindu calendar. In 2010, there are 26 Ekadasis as there is an Adhika Masa. Fasting on Ekadashi is considered highly auspicious and is believed to help in redemption of sins and in attaining Moksha. Below are the Ekadasi dates in 2010.
The Ekadasi dates are based on Indian Standard Time (IST).
January 10, 2010 – Shattila Ekadashi – Satila Ekadasi
January 26, 2010 – Jaya Ekadasi – Bhoumi and Bheeshma Ekadasi
February 9, 2010 – Vijaya Ekadashi
February 25, 2010 – Amalaki Ekadasi – Amalki Ekadashi
March 11, 2010 – Papmochani Ekadasi – Papamochni Ekadashi
March 26, 2010 – Kamda Ekadasi – Kamada Ekadashi
April 10, 2010 – Varuthini Ekadashi
April 24, 2010 – Kamla Ekadasi – Padmini Ekadashi (Smarta) (Adhik Maas Ekadasi)
April 25, 2010 – Kamala Ekadasi – Padmini Ekadashi (Bhagvat or Vaishnava)
May 9, 2010 – Kamala Ekadasi – Parama Ekadasi (Smarta) (Adhik Maas Ekadasi)
May 10, 2010 – Kamla Ekadasi – Parama Ekadashi (Bhagavat or Vaishanav)
May 24, 2010 – Mohini Ekadasi
June 8, 2010 – Apara Ekadashi
June 22, 2010 – Bhim Ekadasi – Bhima Nirjala Ekadasi
July 8, 2010 – Yogini Ekadasi
July 21, 2010 – Devshayani Ekadashi – Sayana Ekadasi – Ashadi Ekadasi
August 6, 2010 – Kamika Ekadasi
August 20, 2010 – Pavitra Ekadasi – Putrada Ekadashi
September 4, 2010 – Aja Ekadasi – Annada Ekadashi (Smarta)
September 5, 2010 – Aja Ekadashi – Annada Ekadasi (Bhagavat or Vaishnav)
September 18, 2010 – Parivartini Ekadasi – Parsava Ekadashi (Smarta)
September 19, 2010 – Parivartini Ekadashi – Parsava Ekadasi (Bhagavat or Vaishnav)
October 4, 2010 – Indira Ekadasi
October 18, 2010 – Pasankusa Ekadashi
November 2, 2010 – Rama Ekadasi
November 17, 2010 – Prabodini Ekadasi – Uttahana Ekadashi
December 1, 2010 – Uttpatti Ekadashi – Utpana Ekadasi
December 17, 2010 – Mokshada Ekadasi
Hindu religion is the only one of the world’s great faiths dedicated to the idea that the cosmos itself undergoes an immense, indeed an infinite number of deaths and rebirths.
It is the only religion in which the time scales correspond, no doubt, by accident, to those of modern scientific cosmology. Its cycles run from our ordinary day and night to a day and night of Brahma 8.64 billion years long. Longer than the age of the earth or the sun and about half of the time since the big bang. And there are much longer time scales still.
There is the deep and the appealing notion that the universe is but the dream of the god who after a 100 Brahma years… dissolves himself into a dreamless sleep… and the universe dissolves with him… until after another Brahma century… he starts… recomposes himself and begins again the dream… the great cosmic lotus dream.
I love life and am thankful to the Supreme Power for being so benevolent. Every night, I pray to Him and thank Him for all that He has done for me. My life has never been just a bed of roses. I have had my share of traumatic experiences. Whenever I am in a spot, I seek His intervention. However, I do not believe in any rituals. For me, the Supreme Power stands in the form of a dot – like Omkara.
You do not have to abandon material things to engage in spiritual practice. Even if you are totally materialistic, you will find that there is already a part of your mind that is flowing in a spiritual direction . It might not be your conscious philosophy; but in the depths of your consciousness there is a spiritual stream of energy constantly in motion.
There is no value to life without joy. There is a joy that pierces through every moment of our lives. Love is the reason to act even when no final purpose can be perceived. I believe we should live with a free-flying emotion that allows us pure clarity and energy to work without self-interest . It’s a simple task, but very difficult.